Gable top container closure



May 25, 1965 D. J. CRAWFORD ETAL 3,185,376

GABLE TOP CONTAINER CLOSURE Filed April l5, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 25, 1955 D. .1. CRAWFORD ETAL 3,185,376

GABLE TOP CONTAINER CLOSURE May 25, 1955 D. J. CRAWFORD l-:TAL 3,185,376

GABLE TOP CONTAINER CLOSURE Filed April l5, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR` 0. JAMA-J' CRA wrok@ United States Patent C) 3,185,376 GABLE TOP CONTAINER CLOSURE Duncan .l ames Crawford, Franklin, and Melvin W. Miller, Detroit, Mich., assignors to Ex-Cell-O Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Y Filed Apr. 15, 1963, Ser. No. 273,008 8 Claims. (Cl. 229--17) This invention relates to paperboard^ containers` in general, and in particular to improvements in the end opening of the gable top style container.

Coated paperboard containers are being used in increasing quantities as fluid containing bottles in place of other commonly used means. The success of this new container has caused much demand for new and various sizes. At the present time the largest size coated paperboard container in general use holds a half gallon of fluid. As the sizes continue to increase and use varies, certain characteristics of the container are required to be modied to give satisfactory service. p One of the problems that has arisen in the packaging industry with the coming of larger size containers, such as the gallon container, is the diiiiculty in opening due to the heavier caliper paperboard. The increased amount of material in the larger size containers, when the past standard container design is used, has changed the geometry so that a large amount of material would collect around the pouring spout causing it to be damaged while opening.

When the score lines were moved back to`provide proper clearance for opening, the pop-open and pop-shut feature was lost. It is an object of this invention to provide for a new and improved gable top container which includes a sanitary, dispensable, pouring spout which can easily be released and extended by the consumers lingertips without the necessity of employing an opening device when desired to open the container and dispense its contents.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container which includes a sanitary extensible pouring spout completely protected within the containers end closure, and capable of accomplishing these objectives with the minimum material and fabrication cost, while providing a reliable container of simple and rugged construction.

A further object is to provide a` container with a sealed integral infolded pouring spout that may be unfolded with ease into pouring position while maintaining the sanitary quality of the spout.

Also, the object of the present invention includes a means of providing a container with a sealed integral infolded pouring spout that may be unfolded with ease without damage when opening, and an integral means which will provide a pop-open and pop-close feature.

Other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and from the appended claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings:

FIG. l is a layout View of an inside surface of a container blank showing the inventive structure;

FIG. 2 is a flat side seamed blank made from the blank shown in FIG. 1,. showing the outside surface thereof;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container fabricated from the blank shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the container showing the relationship of the fold-in end panel of the pouring spout;

FIG. 5 is a perspective View showing the container pouring spout during opening;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the back of the pouring spout during opening; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 6, showing the pouring spout extended.

n 3,185,376 Patented May 25, 1965 While the invention is susceptible of various modiiications and alternate constructions, a certain illustrative embodiment has been shown in the drawings and will be described below in considerable detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the speciiic form disclosed but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed by the appended claims.

Referring no w to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. l, the inside surface of the flat blank 10 is shown with a pattern of appropriate score lines. The container is separated into three groups by staggered score lines 11 and 12. The portion of the container blank below score line 12, as seen in FIG. 1, is the bottom closure group. A discussion of the bottom closure group is not necessary in the disclosure of the present invention; however, a complete description is given in U.S. Patent No. 3,120,333, which issued February 4, 1964. The material between score lines 11 and 12, as seen in FIG. 1, is a body group and comprises four panels 13 through 16, and a side seam ap 17. The blank 10 is delined on the side by edges 18 and 19, and with the panel being separated by score lines 20 through 23. Integral with the upper ends yof the side panels but separated therefrom by score line 11, are a plurality of panel extensions which give the top of the container 10 its characteristic gable shape. These panels include a transverse score line 24, generally parallel to score line 11, and spaced between score line 11 and the top edge of the blank 10. The areas between score lines 24 and 11 deiine the roof panels 25, 27 and the fold-in end panels 26 and 2S of the top closure; while the areas above score line 24 define the parts of the central laminary rib as shown in FIG. 3. Score line 24 includes the portions 24a, 24h, 24C, and 24d, which correspond respectively to the panels 25, 26, 27 and 28.

An integral portion of roof panel 25 is the outer rib panel 29 connected therewith along score line 24a. rlhe outer rib panel 29 is located between score line 24a and the transverse score line 30 which has sealing flap 31 above it. The integral portion of the roof panel 27 is the outer rib panel 32 connected therewith along score line 24C. The outer rib panel 32 is located between score line 24e andthe transverse score line 33 which has sealing flap 34 above it. Embodied in the roof panel 25 is area 35 which is deiined by score lines 11, 20, 24a and dog leg score line 36. Dog leg score line 36 extends between score line 11 and score line 24a in two sections 36a, 36h, as seen in FIG. 1. Embodied in roof panel 27 is area 37 which is dened by score lines 11, 21, 24e and dog leg score line 38. Dog leg score line 3S extends between score lines 11 and 24C in two sections 38a and 38h.

Side panel 14 has connected therewith along score line 11, triangular fold-in end panel 26 which is defined by score lines 11, 41, 42. The panel 26 is anked by two triangular fold-back panels 43, 44 connected along score lines 41, 42, respectively. Connected to panels 43, 44 are inner rib panels 45, 46, respectively. Inner rib panels 45, 46 are connected by score line 47. Edge 48 runs between score lines 20, 21 along panels 45, 46. Side panels 16 has connected therewith along the score line 11, a triangular fold-in panel 28 which is defined by score lines 11, 51, 52. The panel 28 is flanked by fold-back panels 53, 54 connected along score lines 51, 52, respectively. Connected to panels 53, 54 are inner rib panels 55, 56, respectively. Inner rib panels 55, 56 are connected by score line S7. Edge 58 runs between score lines 22, 23, along panels 55, 56.

To form a container, as shown in FIG. 3, the blank 10 in FIG. 1 is used; however, the blank is first side seamed as viewed in FIG. 2. This is accomplished by having panel 16 and side seam flap 17 folded about score line 22 until their inside surfaces contact the inside surfaces of panels 15, 14, respectively. Then, panel 13 is folded about score line 28 until its inside surface contacts the inside surface of panel 14 and the outside surface of side seam flap 17. The inside surface of panel 13, along edge 18, will contact outside surface of side seam fiap 17. The area of panel 13 contacting flap 17 is heated to activate its coating for side seam heat sealing, or bonding material may be applied to the surface to accomplish the side seaming operation. The blank is then opened into a tubular form, substantially square in cross-section, and the bottom end closure is completed as described in the above mentioned U.S. Patent No. 3,120,333. When the side seamed container blank has been opened and the bottom end closure made, it is then filled with the desired product. To complete the container the top panels are infolded into a gable form. During the course of such action, the score lines 41, 42, 51, 52 are broken by infolding the triangular fold-in end panels 26, 28 towards each other. By the use of selective heating, the thermoplastic coating is directly adhesively activated on the inside surfaces of the outer rib panels 29, 32 and the sealing flaps 31, 34; and on the inside and outside surfaces of inner rib panels 55, 56. The inside and outside surfaces of the inner rib panels 45, 46 are indirectly heated to a lesser degree. A container top is disclosed and described in detail in co-pending patent application S.N. 122,571, filed July 7, 1961, and assigned to the same assignee of present application.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 through 7, the new opening characteristics of the container will be explained in detail. As viewed in FIG. 4, the container is shown in front view, with dog leg score line 36 contacting score line 11 away from the intersection of score lines 11 and 20, and contacting score line 24a closer to score line 23 than score line 20. A phantom line 26 representing fold-in end panel 26 is shown in FIG. 4. This panel 26 will run from score line 11 at an angle up to score line 24a in a straight plane, and it will intersect score line 24a closer to score line 20 than score line 23. As viewed in FIG. 4 dog leg score line 36 is so constructed that the intersection of sections 36a and 361; will be on one side of phantom line 26 and the intersections of sections 36a and 36b with score lines 11 and 24a, respectively, will be on the other side of phantom line 26. The panel 27 with dog leg score line 38 is not shown in FIG. 4, but dog leg 38 has the same characteristics on panel 27 as dog leg 36 has on panel 25. The score lines 36, 38 are connected to score lines 24a, 24e, respectively, beyond their mid-points to provide score line 47 with a clear area when the container is being opened. Thus, there will not be a concentration of material at score line 47 when the container is being opened which would cause damage to the score line and the pouring spout.

As viewed in FIG. 5, it is shown that when the container is being opened by rotating fold-back panels 43, 44 toward panel 28 above score lines 41, 42, respectively, the containers central laminar rib will so separate that score line 47 will be free to open properly, because the outer rib panels 29 and 32, and the sealing flaps 31 and 34, will delaminate beyond score line 47 permitting the pouring surfaces, inner rib panels 45, 46, which meet at score line 47, to rotate freely about score line 47 with respect to each other so that the container can pop open, as described in the following description.

If the score lines 36, 38 were straight and passed beyond the middle of their respective panels 25, 27, there would be no forcing up of panel 26 as the fold-back panels 43, 44 were rotated about score lines 41, 42 as just described. To provide a means to pop panel 26 out from closed position, the dog leg score lines 36, 38 have been divided into two sections providing an intersection above the plane of panel 26, as viewed in FIG. 4.

It is not anticipated that the panels 25, 27 will break along dog leg score lines 36, 38. The panels 25, 27 are so designed that they will facilitate a natural breaking along a break line 39 as viewed in FIGS. 6 and 7. The break line 39 Will give us, with other score lines, three general areas; namely, top opening area 61, which is defined by break line 39, score line 38b, and score line 24e; panel opening area 62, which is defined by score lines 38a, 38b, and break line 39; and lower opening area 63, which is defined by score lines 11, 38a, and break line 39. The top opening area 61 permits outer rib panels 29, 32, and sealing fiaps 31, 34, to rotate in such a manner as to delaminate past the center of the container, helping to push the pouring spout out, including score line 47 and inner rib panel 45 and 46. At the same time lower opening areas 63 are so positioned that they will act on the tips of panel 26 at its intersection with score lines 41, 42, 11, pushing panel 26 from its closed position. Panel opening area 62 will act on fold back panels 43, 44 forcing them up, which will in turn force score lines 41, 42 up, thus causing panel 26 to pop out from its closed position as shown in FIG. 6, into its open position as shown in FIG. 7. The hinging action of area 62 will be around break line 39, and as it is bent around, there will also be a breaking action along the'score lines 38a and 38b, which will cause panel opening area 62 to act as a focal point forcing the fold back panel 44 out from its closed position, as just explained. If score line 38 would run straight from score line 11 to score line 24o and be beyond the mid-point of the panel 27 on score line 24C, having a distance further from score line 21 than score line 22, there would be a tendency, in opening the container, for panel 26 to dish in instead of popping out; therefore making opening difficult. However, if score line 38 were so located on panel 27 as to run straight from score line 11 to score line 24C and be, before the mid-point of the panel 27 or score line 24C, closer to score line 21 than to score line 22 when it contacts score line 24e, it would have a tendency to pop panel 26 out from its closed position. This would cause the condition of grouping a large amount of paperboard around the pouring spout at score line 47, causing the score line and pouring spout to be damaged when opening the container; thus providing a defective pouring spout. The action which has just been described on panel 27 with respect to score line 38 and its associated panels, is similar to the action which takes place on panel 25 with score line 36 in its associated panels.

The method of opening, which has just been described in detail, is susceptible to many changes, which would give the same result, such as having score lines 36 and 38 run from the intersection of score lines 11, 20 and 11, 21 to score lines 24a and 24e respectively. In this situation we would define two areas instead of the three; the lower opening area would be eliminated, but a similar opening action would be defined. Score lines 36 and 38 could be in arcuate form instead of two straight lines, and thus would again give similar results with either two or three areas defined.

Embodiment in this specification could be used on the containers as stated. While the embodiments of the present invention herein disclosed constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted and still be within the spirit and scope of the disclosed invention.

We claim the following as our invention:

l. A container top closure, having:

(a) a body portion,

(b) said top closure having first and second fold-in end panels and first and second roof panels,

(c) said first fold-in end panel connected to said first and second roof panels by a first set of fold-back panels,

(d) said second fold-in end panel connected to said first and second roof panels by a second set of foldback panels,

(e) said fold-in end panels extending over a portion of the top end ofsaid container,

(f) said roof panels extending across the top end of said body portion adjacent and above the fold-in end `panels and with said fold-back panels between them,

(g) closing means sealed together and extending from the top of said fold-in end and roof panels-forming a liquid-tight top closure,

(h) popping means on the said roof panels to cause the opening of said container, and Y (i) said popping means having a score line on each of said first and second roof panels starting on one-half of their respective roof panels and terminating on the other half.

2. A container top closure, having:

(a) a body portion,

(b) said top closure 'having first and second fold-in end panels and first and second roof panels,

(c) said first fold-in end panel connected to said first and second roof panels by a first set 4of fold-back panels,

(d) said second fold-in end panel connected to said first and second roof panels by a second set of foldback panels,

(e) said fold-in end panels extending over a portion of the top end of said container,

(f) said roof panels extending across the top end of said body portion adjacent and above the fold-in end panels and with said fold-back panels between them,

(g) closing means sealed together and extending from the top of said fold-in end and roof panels forming a liquid-tight top closure,

(h) popping means on the said roof panels to cause the opening of said container,

(i) said popping means having a first and second score line on each of said first and second roof panels,

(j) the first score line of each roof panel starting in the first half of their roof panels, the second score line starting in the second half oflsaid roof panel, and

(k) said first and second` score lines intersecting in th first half of their respective roof panels.` A

3. A container top closure, having:

(a) a body portion,

(b) said top closure having first and second fold-in end panels and first and second roof panels,

(c) said first fold-in end panel connected to said first and second roof panels by a first set of fold-back panels,

(d) said second fold-in end panel connected to said first and second roof panels by a second set of fold-back panels, l

(e) said fold-in end panels extending over a portion of the top end of said container,

` (j) said roof panels extending across the top end of said body portion adjacent and above the fold-in end panels and with said fold-back panels between them,

(g) closing means sealed together and extending from the top of said fold-in end and roof panels forming a liquid-tight top closure,

(h) popping means on the said roof panels to cause the opening of said container,

(i) roof panels in rectangular shape,

(j) first fold-in end panels acting as part of a pouring Vspout and connected to the first half of said roof panels, and

(k) said roof panels defined by a set of first and second score lines connected to the end panels, a set of third score lines at the top of the roof panels and connecting the first and second score lines, a set of fourth score lines at the bottom of the roof panels connecting the first and second score lines,

(l) said popping means with two sets of straight score lines on each said roof panel,

(m) the rst score line of each set of straight score 6 lines starting at the fourth score lines in the first half of their roof panels, the second score line of each set of straight score lines starting at the third score line in the second half of said roof panels, and

(n) said first and second score lines of each set of straight score lines terminating at their intersection in the first half of their respective roof panels.

4. A container top closure, having:

(a) a body portion,

(b) said top closure having first and second fold-in end panels and first and second roof panels,

(c) said first fold-in end panel connected to said first and second roof panels by a first set of fold-back panels, p

(d) said second fold-in end panel connected to |said first and second roof panels by a second set of fold- Y back panels,

(e) said fold-in end panels extending over a portion of the top end of said container,

(f) said roof panels extending acrossthe top end of said body portion adjacent and above the fold-in end panels and with said fold-back panels between them,

(g) closing means sealed together and extending from the top of said fold-in end and roof panels forming a liquid-tight top closure,

(It) popping means on the said roof panels to cause the opening of said container,

(z') roof panels in rectangular shape,

(j) first fold-in end panels acting as part of a `pouring spout and connected to the first half of said roof panels,

(k) said roof panels defined by a set of first and second score lines connected to the end panels, a set of third score lines at the top of the roof panels and connecting the first and second score lines, a set of fourth score lines at the bottom of the roof panels connecting the first and second score lines,

(l) said popping means with an arcuate score line on each of said roof panels,

(m) said arcuate score lines starting at the fourth score line in the half of their roof panels, and terminating at the third score line in theV second half of their roof panels,

(n) said popping means with break lines acting in conjunction with each of said arcuate score "lines,

(o) said break lines start on the fourth score lines between the intersections of the arcuate score lines with the fourth score lines, and the fourth score lines with the first score lines,

(p) said break lines cross the arcuate score lines and terminate at the third score lines between the intersections of the arcuate score lines with the third score lines and the third score lines and the first score lines, and

(q) break lines acting in conjunction with the third, fourth, and arcuate score lines to form top opening, panel opening, and lower opening areas on each of said roof panels.

5. A container top closure, having:

(a) a body portion,

(b) said top closure having first and second fold-in end panels and first and second roof panels,

(c) said first fold-in end panel connected to said first and second roof panels by a first set of fold-back panels,

(d) said fold-in end panel connected to said first and second roof panels by a second set of fold-back panels,

(e) said fold-in end panels extending over a portion of the top end of said container,

(f) said roof panels extending across the top end of said body portion adjacent and above the fold-in end panels and with said fold-back panels between them,

(g) closing means sealed together and extending from 7 the top of said fold-in end and roof panels forming a liquid-tight top closure,

(h) popping means on the said roof panels to cause the opening of said container,

(i) roof panels in rectangular shape,

(j) first fold-in end panels acting as part of a pouring spout and connected to the first half of said roof panels,

(k) said roof panels defined by a set of first and second score lines connected to the end panels, a set of third score lines at the top of the roof panels and connecting the first and second score lines, a set of fourth score lines at the bottom of the roof panels connecting the first and second score lines,

(l) said popping means with two sets of straight score lines on each said roof panel,

(m) the first score line of each set of straight score lines starting at the fourth score lines in the first half of their roof panels, the second score line of each set of straight score lines starting at the third score line in the second half of said roof panels,

(n) said first and second score lines of each set of straight score lines terminating at their intersection in the first half of their respective roof panels,

(o) said popping means with break lines acting in conjunction with each set of straight score lines,

(p) said break lines start on the fourth score lines between the intersections of the first score line of each set of straight score lines with the fourth score lines, and the fourth score lines with the first score lines,

(q) said break lines cross the first and second score lines of each set of straight score lines and terminate at the third score lines between the intersections of the second score line of each -set of score lines, and the third score lines with the first score lines, and

(r) break line acting in conjunction with the third, fourth, and first and second score lines of each set of straight score lines to form top opening, panel opening, and lower opening areas on each of said roof panels.

6. A container blank with a top closure, said blank comprising, in combination,

(a) a plurality of four side panels,

(b) first and second fold-in end panels and first and second roof panels as extensions of alternate side panels,

(c) first and second pairs of fold-back panels connected to first and second fold-in end panels,

(d) said first and second pairs of fold-back panels connecting said fold-in end panels and adjacent roof panels in an erected container,

(e) closing sealing means extending from the top of said fold-in end and roof panels,

(f) popping means on said roof panels to cause the opening of said blank in an erected container, and (g) said popping means having a score line on each of said first and second roof panels starting on one half of their respective roof panels and terminating on the other half. 7. A blank for a container as defined in claim 6, and wherein,

(a) said score line of the popping means is arcuate. 8. A container blank with a top closure, said blank comprising, in combination,

(a) a plurality of four side panels,

(b) first and second fold-in end panels and first and second roof panels as extensions of alternate side panels,

(c) first and second pairs of fold-back panels connected to first and second fold-in end panels,

(d) said first and second pairs of fold-back panels connecting said fold-in end panels and adjacent roof panels in an erected container,

(e) closing sealing means extending from the top of said fold-in end and roof panels,

(j) popping means on said roof panels to cause the opening of said blank in an erected container,

(g) said popping means having a first and second score line on each of said first and second roof panels, (lz) the first score line of each roof panel starting in the first half of their roof panels, the second score line starting in the second half of said roof panel,

and

(i) said first and second score lines intersecting in the first half of their respective roof panels.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner. 

1. A CONTAINER TOP CLOSURE, HAVING: (A) A BODY PORTION, (B) SAID TOP CLOSURE HAVING FIRST AND SECOND FOLD-IN END PANELS AND FIRST AND SECOND ROOF PANELS, (C) SAID FIRST FOLD-IN END PANEL CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST AND SECOND ROOF PANELS BY A FIRST SET OF FOLD-BACK PANELS, (D) SAID SECOND FOLD-IN END PANEL CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST AND SECOND ROOF PANELS BY A SECOND SET OF FOLDBACK PANELS, (E) SAID FOLD-IN END PANELS EXTENDING OVER A PORTION OF THE TOP END OF SAID CONTAINER, (F) SAID ROOF PANELS EXTENDING ACROSS THE TOP END OF SAID BODY PORTION ADJACENT AND ABOVE THE FOLD-IN END PANELS AND WITH SAID FOLD-BACK PANELS BETWEEN THEM, (G) CLOSING MEANS SEALED TOGETHER AND EXTENDING FROM THE TOP OF SAID FOLD-IN END AND ROOF PANELS FORMING A LIQUID-TIGHT TOP CLOSURE, (H) POPPING MEANS ON THE SAID ROOF PANELS TO CAUSE THE OPENING OF SAID CONTAINER, AND (I) SAID POPPING MEANS HAVING A SCORE LINE ON EACH OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND ROOF PANELS STARTING ON ONE-HALF OF THEIR RESPECTIVE ROOF PANELS AND TERMINATING ON THE OTHER HALF. 